Marco Island, Ft. Myers & Boca Grande

Capt. Scott Hughes
May 27, 2002
Fort Myers - Saltwater Fishing Report

Late Cold Front threw us a Curve.

It's back to Normal Now!

A rare cold front for this time of year blew us off the water for a few days last week but everything is back to normal now and we are enjoying good fishing in both the 10,000 Islands and in Pine Island Sound.

Before the front we had catches like 40 snook, 2 grouper, 2 jack crevelle and some lady fish from 5:30-7:30 PM on 5/18 by the 20th the front was blowing cold air from the north and all we could manage was a small jack in an eight hour charter. That was probably the worst I've done in over 6 months or more. Each day since the fishing has been improving and is alomst back to normal.

Snook fishing is very good out of the Marco area and in the on the beaches north of Ft Myers and Boca Grande. I like the morning in the 10,000 Islands and the afternoon or night out of Ft Myers. this is mainly due to less boats. Pinfish, sardines and thread herring are all doing excellent.

Jack Crevelle are all over the sand bars south of Marco Island. They are a few months late but it's better to be late than not show up at all. They are hitting anything that looks like a silver fish and they have been running from 5 to 17 pounds. There have also been jacks runnning in the passes out of Pine island.

Tarpon are around but the majority of the fish that have been caught have been in Boca Grande Pass. Deep jigging has been the best producers but live crabs and squirrel fish are good live bait choices. I don't do this type of fishing because the nature of 100+ boats is not my idea of fishing. Never the less, they have been kicking butt with most good captains hooking at least 5 tarpon per trip.

The forecast for the next few weeks should be excellent. Snook and jack fishing will continue to be hot and sight fishing for tarpon will continue to be good along the outside.

Good Luck!

Capt. Scott Hughes

Blackwater Charters

863-946-9171

941-628-4247 cell

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